Wednesday, 26 October 2011

When I received 'me' in fabric from Carol in the For the love of solids swap I went on to promise certain people that I'd prove the likeness. So today I've been brave and got Jess to take photo to prove how much I look like 'me' in fabric :) My hair is slightly more purple than it was when I described myself to Carol but the rest is much the same :) It was really hard work not swallowing those pins!

After that fun and games I thought I'd share with you the gorgeous pillow that I received from Jessica (Euphoria) in the latest round of the Pillow Talk Swap. There must have been some serious stalking on Jessica's part as look, it's linen and Loulouthi!! Yummy! The stripey effect is achieved by some rather fabulous green quilting!

To top it all off Jessica included some charm squares and rectangles of Loulouthi. I'm already plotting ways to use them :) Thank you so much Jessica it's very much loved!

Sunday, 23 October 2011

This post was going to be a great big trumpet blowing affair until I decided to use Picnik to improve the colours in this photo. It was only then that I noticed the glaring error in my finished Stargazer Crystal. Right now I can't decide whether I want to cry or rip the thing apart :(

My ta-dah moment was well and truly short-lived. So lovely readers, if this was coming to you would you want me to remedy the mistake I made or would you just say "what mistake?" and love it anyway? I'm so disappointed! I'd even managed to match the points in the centre really well for me :( I'm off to sulk in a corner somewhere... Catch you soon x

Friday, 21 October 2011

Long time readers will know I love Laurie Wisbrun! So when she announced that she was having a book published it was obvious that I was going to pre-order it. I got a very exciting email from Mr Amazon last Thursday saying that the book was on it's way to me, so the postman stalking commenced. As the days passed I got more and more agitated so checked the tracking status only to discover it had been delayed as they had despatched it to the wrong courier!!! Cue air turning blue! Today, finally a week later than expected it arrived! Yay!

I've only been able to skim through it thus far as we had to attend a funeral today, but what I have seen of it is fabulous! Lots of gorgeous pictures and step-by-step instructions. Watch out world you might just see me attempt to use photoshop. Be afraid! Here's a close-up of Laurie's name in print just in case you can't see it on the other photo :)

Wednesday, 19 October 2011

I have admired from afar the amazing paper-piecing talents of Lynne and Kerry but have always been convinced that there is no way that I could possibly achieve anything like it myself. Well...in a fit of craziness this afternoon I printed off a piecing by numbers pattern that frankly should have scared me senseless! I had previously printed off a Knight's Knot which I deemed too difficult without even trying so when you see what I tried for my first attempt at paper piecing you'll know I've lost the plot! It's called the Stargazer Crystal. I've taken a chance that my Brit Quilt Swap partner will like it and forged ahead with it.

I've got to make 6 triangles which are each constructed from 3 separate pieces. Piece one..

piece two attached to piece one...

and piece three attached to complete the first triangle! I'm beyond thrilled with myself for managing this. Who knew paper-piecing could be so fun? I know I'm late to the game on this one, most of you already know!

I'm hoping that even if my partner isn't a big fan of the pattern I've chosen she will at least be impressed by my new found skill :) Catch you soon x

Tuesday, 18 October 2011

A little while ago I bought some Pernilla's Journey by Tina Givens because it is such a cute range but I didn't have any fixed plan for it. Well, I came up with the perfect plan for it after seeing this. I love Brooke's style! One pair of boring grey curtains from Ikea transformed into stylish (in my opinion) patchwork-y goodness.

Here are some photos of the details. I just love Pernilla on her elephant...

...the sea-horse and the unicorns

and the parrots (cockatoos *giggle* or whatever they're called).

I'm so pleased with how they have turned out. They've transformed our little hallway. Excuse the hideously over-exposed photo.

I have been a productive little soul and finished the Stripped Pips quilt too. I got a bit over-ambitious when I was free-motion quilting and tried to put some hearts in like our blog header. Let's just say that they need a bit of work.

I filled the middle section with a meandering stipple then did the swirls around the strippy part. It is lovely and light and the back is quite presentable too, though I'm not showing you lot that bit ;)

I made the most of a break in the grey skies to get the obligatory washing line shot.

Finally, I've been instructed to thank all of you lovely people who have been inquiring about Yvonne's well-being. As some of you know she's been feeling very poorly for quite a while now. On Friday she had a long awaited trip to see the Consultant Cardiologist who confirmed that she has a "dicky ticker" (said in best 'Allo 'Allo! voice). It comes as no surprise to us as there is a strong family history of heart disease. Poor old Mum has 3 new medications to take, one of which has made her feel even more vile so Dad confiscated it and insisted she get in touch with the GP for an alternative. It'll be a trip back to the Consultant in the Spring for a progress report (providing nothing changes in the meantime) and decision making about the next step which is likely to be surgery. So now you're all caught up, Yvonne still lurks around here and flickr when she feels well enough but she's not very energetic at the moment. I hope you'll understand the lack of humour and coherence around...my poor brain can't seem to string anything together at the moment. Thanks for bearing with us :) Catch you soon x

Thursday, 13 October 2011

It's been a little while since I updated as Jess and I have been struck down with the lurgy. You know the one that lead's to a very shiny toilet from prolific disinfectant usage! Anyway that's probably too much information and I do hope you're not eating while reading this ;) Moving swiftly on, I managed to finish my Pillow Talk Swap cushion yesterday. As per usual my photography is horrid so the colours look far more washed out than they are in reality.

I backed it with a deep teal linen/cotton blend which also looks washed out in this photo...grrr.

Here's a close-up of my unimaginative straight line quilting :)

It's another cushion that I'm going to be sad to go. Prince Charming is such a gorgeous range of fabric. It's a good job I've got loads left :)

Today after a serious lack of sleep due to said 'lurgy' I completed a carry-cot sized quilt top in preparation for the arrival of a precious baby boy in January! I pattern tested this design for one of my fellow contestants in the Jelly Roll Dream Challenge. The pattern will be available for purchase in the near future, I'll let you know details when I have them. I've called my variation of the design 'Stripped Pips'; I'm so original ;) I'm planning to back it with a pale blue fleece and free-motion quilt it.

Sorry for the rather disjointed post this evening; 3 hours sleep is not enough for coherent and witty ramblings :) Catch you soon x

Tuesday, 4 October 2011

Today has been grey and miserable so I grabbed some cheery fabrics and got chopping for the Pillow Talk Swap. I didn't really have a plan for what I was going to make as my partner's inspiration mosaic was very eclectic. I pulled out some Prince Charming by Tula Pink as I think it will fit in with my partner's decor...

and after much umm-ing and ahh-ing I came up with this, typical of me, rotating pattern. I'm hoping the quilting will make it sing, when I decide how to quilt it.

I often use straight-line quilting and very occasionally free-motion quilting. Am I missing a trick somewhere? What is your go-to quilting design? I'd love to know. Catch you soon x

Monday, 3 October 2011

After a very tasty and extremely filling anniversary lunch I decided to throw caution to the wind and tackle the Blossom bag again. This time I won! Woohoo! It's finished.

The internal dividers should be stiffer but I run out of the heavy stiffener so I went without. Quite how I would have been able to sew them into the sides of the bag with the heavy stiffener I don't know. As it was I only had a slight struggle to get the needle to go through.

This bag will be destined for use as a seasonal gift (I still can't bring myself to use the C word yet!), recipient undecided.

I'm off now for a quiet evening in front of the telly with hubby. Catch you soon x

Sunday, 2 October 2011

...I love you Amy Butler but this Blossom bag is killing me! I started this bag for September's Amy Butler's Style Stitches Sew Along with Bree but it's now October and it's still not finished!I've spent an inordinate amount of time on this bag, there's nothing wrong with the pattern, it's very definitely the maker! Firstly, I hate interfacing with a vengeance. I fell out with it when I was making The Cosmo bag and I still have not forgiven it. Now I also have a strong dislike for heavy stiffener! My unpicker has seen way too much action these past few days!!! Note to self: when the pattern tells you to pin the side panels in place on the curve, ignore it! Pinned side-panel needed unpicking 3 times and took the best part of 2 hours - unpinned side-panel took less than 5 minutes and was perfect first time....go figure!

I know what to do if I ever attempt this bag again but at the moment the likelihood of that happening is extremely slim!! I'm hoping to finish it up some time this week.

In other news, the second round of Brit Quilt Swap sign-ups are underway. I'm playing at swap mama again :) We're doing cushions this time round even though we are controversially calling it The Pillow Fight. Here's my inspiration mosaic.

I'm hoping for a more productive week once tomorrow is out the way. It's our wedding anniversary so hubby is home for the day and we're going to take the opportunity to pop out for lunch together :) Catch you soon x

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